regent

noun

re·​gent ˈrē-jənt 

1

: a person who governs a kingdom in the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign

2

: a person who rules or reigns : governor

3

: a member of a governing board (as of a state university)

regent adjective

regental

ˈrē-jən-tᵊl 

adjective

Examples of regent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The regents may gather themselves by then and realize they have been relegated to mere spectators with titles as others strain to keep secret the complaint and how it was handled. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026

Before returning to Congress, Mfume held a number of positions in the private sector, including CEO of the National Medical Association, an investigator for the Health Policy Research Consortium and chairman of the board of regents at his alma mater Morgan State University. —Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026

Scoggin’s lawsuit also names the head coach of Nebraska's women's basketball team, Amy Williams, former athletic director Trev Alberts and the university’s board of regents, USA Today reported. —Staff Author, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026

As for the University of Michigan Board of Regents, Amir Makled and Paul Brown were nominated, as incumbent regent Jordan Acker lost his spot on the November ballot. —Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin regent-, regens, from Latin, present participle of regere to direct — more at right

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing regent

• vice-regent

Kids Definition

regent

noun

re·​gent ˈrē-jənt 

1

: a person who governs a kingdom when a monarch is not able to

2

: a member of a governing group (as of a state university)

regent adjective

Etymology

Middle English regent "one who governs," from early French regent or Latin regent-, regens (both, same meaning), from earlier Latin regens, a form of the verb regere "to lead straight, govern, rule" — related to rail entry 1, regulate, rule